To significantly curb instances of human-wildlife conflict, the Kerala Forest Department has successfully revamped nearly 1,500 kilometers of solar fencing across the state through its innovative “Mission Solar Fence” project.
A core component of this initiative involved comprehensive training for department officials in solar fence repair. “These trained personnel then went on to educate selected officials in each forest division, with the state already having completed an impressive 32 training sessions,” explained Sameer M.K., Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) and the State nodal officer for Mission Solar Fence.
Mr. Sameer highlighted that the Forest Department had previously installed over 2,500 km of solar fencing along critical forest boundaries in areas prone to human-animal encounters. “However, due to a lack of consistent monitoring and upkeep, only about 580 kilometers of these electric fences remained operational. Thanks to this new push, more than 2,000 km of vital fencing statewide are now fully functional,” he stated proudly.
“Solar-powered fencing stands as one of the most effective and environmentally friendly methods to alleviate human-wildlife conflict. In regions where the fences have been restored, we’ve observed a marked decrease in human-animal conflict incidents,” the official added.
Establishing Dedicated Tool Rooms
Officials confirm that the Forest Department is committed to ongoing solar fencing maintenance. “A new solar service center has been established in Wayanad, with plans to open similar centers in other divisions. Furthermore, dedicated solar fencing tool rooms will be equipped at all forest stations and sections. These specialized rooms will ensure immediate access to essential repair tools and materials, enabling swift responses to any fence damage,” an official detailed.
Pioneering Smart System Integration
In an additional forward-thinking move, the Forest Department has piloted a smart solar fence system within the North Wayanad Forest Division. “This trial proved highly successful. Should a fence malfunction, officials now receive an instant SMS notification, allowing them to rapidly pinpoint the issue and resolve it. We plan to roll out this intelligent solar fence system across all forest divisions in Kerala,” affirmed Mr. Sameer.